The Potentate of Veloria is not merely a ruler, but a living conduit of divine will—a sovereign chosen by Stella Maris herself through visions, omens, and the sacred prayers. The role fuses spiritual authority with temporal power, and each Potentate’s reign is shaped by the tides of revelation, silence, and reckoning. Upon ascension, the Potentate undergoes the rite of immersion, a ceremonial immersion in sacred waters to to receive divine communion. Their vestments are woven from fine fabrics, and the crown is called the yoke of service.
Anselm XI, the current Potentate, is a contemplative mystic whose recent visions speak of Stella Maris seeking union with the sky. His reign has seen a resurgence of celestial rites and the commissioning small envoys of legates to the ancient Shrine of the Sky Ring in the plateau reagion of Skybride. But Veloria’s history is shaped by many Potentates, each leaving a distinct imprint on the realm.
Potentate Calmaris the Stern ruled during the Era of Trouble, when famine in other continents made sea travel risky and foreign invasion ever looming. He enforced strict fasting and led a perilous pilgrimage to the Abyssal Trench, returning with the Soul Compass, a relic said to point toward divine truth. His reign was austere, marked by silence and sacrifice.
Potentate Gregory the Veiled remains one of Veloria’s most enigmatic figures. He never spoke publicly, communicating only through Sister Orla, his chosen interpreter. His reign was shrouded in secrecy, and many believe he communed directly with the deep goddess beneath the waves. Some sects claim he vanished into the sea at the end of his reign, leaving no body—only a trail of salt and prophecy.